Thanks for helping the newbie:-).
When we see the average ad position, does it include the top three premium positions as well as the side bar?For example, ad position #5 means second of fifth ad on the sidebar?
Think of it this way, genem:
For background, remember that for each impression, you have an actual position. And your Average Position is literally the average of all your actual positions, for all of your impressions (for whatever date range you're looking at).
Now, if on one impression, there are ads at the top - then 'numbering' of position starts at the top, and then moves down the right side:
* If there are three ads up top, then there are 11 positions
* If there are two ads up top, then there are 10 positions
* If there is one ad up top, then there are 9 positions.
On another impression, let's say there are no ads up top. In this case, then numbering starts on the right, and there are 8 positions.
So, for each impression, your ad's actual position among the 8 to 11 ads is the one that is folded into the Average Postion.
Hope that clears it up.
AWA
... So there is no sure way to know if my ads are shown on the first page, unless the ad position is #8 or below, correct?
genem, it's probably safe to say that if your Average Position is at 9.0 or lower, then you are probably not on the first page most of the time.
Be aware, though, that actual position for individual impressions can shift widely, as your competition can vary widely from moment to moment.
One last note: do be aware of the 'date range' you're looking at. Your average position for 'yesterday' might be very different than your average position for the date range of 'all time'.
And if you want the most accurate average positon for the present moment, then make sure your date range is set to 'today'.
BTW, date range is a 'sticky setting' in your account, meaning that it stays where you put it until you actively change it again. For this reason, I always suggest making a practice of looking at your date range setting first thing when logging in to your account - since stats are really meaningless unless you know the period of time covered.
I hope that helps!
AWA
